Agricultural compositions and related methods

Abstract

Agricultural compositions are provided that include at least one keratin protein and at least one carrier. The agricultural compositions provide an environmentally friendly and biodegradable alternative to traditional chemicals and biologicals. The agricultural compositions are suitable for a variety of uses including, but not limited to, increasing plant height and biomass, increasing plant, leaf, increasing stem and root weight, and increasing crop or plant yield compared to application of traditional chemicals or plant growth regulators.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An agricultural composition comprising:
 at least one keratin protein comprising:
 from about 5.0% w/w to about 20.0% w/w nitrogen; 
 from about 0.01% w/w to about 5.0% w/w phosphorus; and 
 from about 0.1% w/w to about 10.0% w/w potassium; and 
   at least one carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The agricultural composition of  claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein is isolated from human hair. 
     
     
         3 . The agricultural composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises water. 
     
     
         4 . The agricultural composition of  claim 1 , comprising:
 from about 5.0% w/w to about 25.0% w/w of the at least one keratin protein; and   from about 75% w/w to about 95% w/w of the at least one carrier.   
     
     
         5 . The agricultural composition of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one keratin protein comprises from about 10% w/w to about 20% w/w nitrogen. 
     
     
         6 . The agricultural composition of  claim 1 , wherein upon application to a plant, the plant growth is increased by at least about 15%. 
     
     
         7 . An agricultural device comprising:
 an agricultural composition comprising:
 at least one keratin protein comprising:
 from about 5% w/w to about 20% nitrogen; 
 from about 0.01% w/w to about 5.0% w/w phosphorus; and 
 from about 0.1% w/w potassium to about 10.0% w/w potassium; and 
 
 at least one carrier; and 
   a multi-function horticultural device comprising a plurality of individual natural fibers intertwined such that the multi-function horticultural device has a density from generally about 0.02 to generally about 3 grams of the individual natural fibers per cubic inch, wherein the multi-function horticultural device is capable of holding and retaining from generally about 0.02 to generally about 15 grams of liquid per cubic inch and wherein the multi-function horticultural device is generally homogeneous.   
     
     
         8 . The agricultural device of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-function horticultural device includes at least one natural fiber from the group including human hair, animal hair, coconut fiber, seaweed, kelp, cotton, corn silk and peat moss. 
     
     
         9 . The agricultural device of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-function horticultural device further comprises a plurality of man-made fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The agricultural device of  claim 7 , wherein the agricultural composition comprises:
 from about 5.0% w/w to about 25.0% w/w of the at least one keratin protein; and   from about 75% w/w to about 95% w/w of the at least one carrier.   
     
     
         11 . A method for stimulating root development of a plant, the method including the step of applying the agricultural composition of  claim 1  to a surface of the plant, surrounding soil, turf, seed, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of introducing a multi-function horticultural device to the surrounding soil that has the agricultural composition applied thereto, the multi-function horticultural device comprising a plurality of individual natural fibers intertwined such that the multi-function horticultural device has a density from generally about 0.02 to generally about 3 grams of the individual natural fibers per cubic inch, wherein the multi-function horticultural device is capable of holding and retaining from generally about 0.02 to generally about 15 grams of liquid per cubic inch and wherein the multi-function horticultural device is generally homogeneous. 
     
     
         13 . A method of improving the quality or health of at least one target plant, the method including the step of applying the agricultural composition  claim 1  to a surface of the at least one plant, the surrounding soil, turf, seed, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of introducing a multi-function horticultural device to the surrounding soil that has the agricultural composition applied thereto, the multi-function horticultural device comprising a plurality of individual natural fibers intertwined such that the multi-function horticultural device has a density from generally about 0.02 to generally about 3 grams of the individual natural fibers per cubic inch, wherein the multi-function horticultural device is capable of holding and retaining from generally about 0.02 to generally about 15 grams of liquid per cubic inch and wherein the multi-function horticultural device is generally homogeneous. 
     
     
         15 . A method of increasing crop yield of at least one plant, the method including the step of applying the agricultural composition of  claim 1  to the surface of the at least one plant, the surrounding soil, turf, seed, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of introducing a multi-function horticultural device to the surrounding soil that has the agricultural composition applied thereto, the multi-function horticultural device comprising a plurality of individual natural fibers intertwined such that the multi-function horticultural device has a density from generally about 0.02 to generally about 3 grams of the individual natural fibers per cubic inch, wherein the multi-function horticultural device is capable of holding and retaining from generally about 0.02 to generally about 15 grams of liquid per cubic inch and wherein the multi-function horticultural device is generally homogeneous. 
     
     
         17 . A method of deterring pests from at least one plant, the method including the step of applying the agricultural composition of  claim 1  to the surface of the at least one plant, the surrounding soil, turf, seed, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of introducing a multi-function horticultural device to the surrounding soil that has the agricultural composition applied thereto, the multi-function horticultural device comprising a plurality of individual natural fibers intertwined such that the multi-function horticultural device has a density from generally about 0.02 to generally about 3 grams of the individual natural fibers per cubic inch, wherein the multi-function horticultural device is capable of holding and retaining from generally about 0.02 to generally about 15 grams of liquid per cubic inch and wherein the multi-function horticultural device is generally homogeneous. 
     
     
         19 . A method of increasing moisture retention for at least one plant, the method including the step of applying the agricultural composition of  claim 1  to the surface of the at least one plant, the surrounding soil, turf, seed, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of introducing a multi-function horticultural device to the surrounding soil that has the agricultural composition applied thereto, the multi-function horticultural device comprising a plurality of individual natural fibers intertwined such that the multi-function horticultural device has a density from generally about 0.02 to generally about 3 grams of the individual natural fibers per cubic inch, wherein the multi-function horticultural device is capable of holding and retaining from generally about 0.02 to generally about 15 grams of liquid per cubic inch and wherein the multi-function horticultural device is generally homogeneous.